Need something inexpensive and portable without sacrificing cooking quality? Here are 5 of the best flat grills to help you eat less.
Flat top grills have long been popular with fans of camping and tailgate and offer a great way to enjoy the fun of grilling on the go.
Here are five of the best, so YOU can get the most out of your next BBQ on-the-go.
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600
Are you looking for a versatile flat grill? Do you want a grilling option that caters to a variety of cooking techniques?
If so, the option at the top of our list will surely meet all your needs. With 604 square inches of grilling area and 501 square inches of grilling area, the amount of cooking surface it offers is virtually unmatched.
You can use it as a griddle or grill, depending on the cooking technique you want to use and the surface area you need.
A feature that makes it easier to use is automatic ignition. No need to bother turning it on or heating it up. In addition, it has 4 burners that provide 12,000 Btu of heat. With separate control knobs you can easily control the cooking level.
The burners use stainless steel, which means you don’t have to worry about durability or wear and tear.
A feature that adds even more convenience to this grill is the fact that it comes with two large side shelves. When you don’t need them, you can fold them up, which makes them more compact.
Would you like to move? No problem. It has two wheels on the side that help you move it easily. It COMES with a weatherproof cover that ensures YOU can cover it up and store it in a small space when not in use.
You also get the interchangeable flat-top grill. So you can easily prepare a wide variety of delicacies.
What else can a flat grill offer?
The sheer number of features makes it one of the best options available.
- Includes a giant flat top griddle made from cold rolled steel, true seasoned finish, non-stick coated and ready to use.
- $12,000 BTU/hr Stainless steel burners, peerless ignition system
- Grease management system for easy cleaning
Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat-Top Gas Grill Griddle
The USP of this Blackstone grill is its versatility. You can use it to prepare meals and a variety of delicacies such as grilled cheese, potatoes, steak, pancakes, eggs and more.
The 470 m² cooking area offers enough space to prepare your favorite delicacies. Storing utensils and condiments is a breeze with the help of a floor shelf.
In addition, it consists of 2 side shelves, which can help you to prepare ingredients and delicacies.
With a start button and propane supply mechanism, IT IS EASY TO USE. No need to fiddle with kerosene, coal or a lighter.
Worried about moving it?
Well, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to portability. It has two wheels on one side which means you can easily move it around your garden.
The legs are also foldable so you can pack it away too if you want to store it away.
The powder-coated steel frame ensures it can stand the test of time. Stainless steel burners that increase durability. With the cold-rolled steel cooking surface, wear and tear is never an issue. The two burners offer 30,000 Btu together and can be controlled independently with the knobs. because of that controlling the heat is pretty easy.
With the help of the 20-pound propane tank whenever you fill up again. These qualities and the grill’s versatility make it a worthy contender.
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Cuisinart CGG-306 Professional Tabletop Gas Grill
Looking for a compact option?
Then the Cuisinart CGG-306 tabletop gas grill is the right choice. Despite its small size, it offers a cooking surface of 276.75 m². With two stainless steel burners, the cooking chamber is heated up well. Cumulatively, both burners can provide 20,000 Btu of heat.
With electric ignition and a button for each burner, you can’t go wrong with this unit. The stainless steel grill can help to cook food evenly. The two-burner system ensures good heat distribution throughout the cooking zone.
The USP of this grill is its portability and light weight. With a weight of 22 pounds, you can easily move it. It comes with the breech cover and foldable legs. There is a handle on one side that allows you to carry it like a briefcase. That means YOU can stow it in the trunk of your car and move it around with ease.
A built-in thermometer ensures you can easily monitor the temperature. Despite the small size, it can heat up to 700F, meaning it can cook large cuts of meat quickly. It is excellent for various cooking techniques such as grilling, browning, baking and heating.
The fact that it is compact yet offers all the features of a full flat top grill makes it an ideal choice.
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
The non-stick cooking surface of this grill is easy to use. Aside from this feature, it also includes three burners that can provide 12,000 Btu each. because of that Getting the right heat is not a problem.
With the help of electric ignition, you don’t have to search for the matchbox. You can control the heat using 3 different modes. There are two shelves on the side, making it easy to prepare your favorite delicacies before putting them on the grill.
With a reliable grease management mechanism, YOU can rest assured that cleaning this flat top grill after use will not be a problem either. It also includes two shelves in the lower part, so you won’t run out of space.
When it comes to portability, it consists of two wheels on one side and adjustable leg levelers on the other. Therefore, SHE cannot only move easily, but also stabilize on any surface. This makes it possible and easy to use on the terrace, in the garden or on the lawn.
The 468 square inch cooking surface ensures YOU can cook for the whole family at the same time. Plus, with the on-site propane tank mount, it’s easier than ever to set up your tank and get started. The assembly required is easy to accomplish and the instructions can help with that.
If you are also looking for the best flat grills, this is a great option with the large grilling area and high portability.
- Camp Chef Versatop Portable Outdoor Grill(aka Flat Top Grill 250)
- Unprecedented Ignition – Showcasing a 15,000 BTU burner
- Compact design for travel – adjustable leg leveler – temperature control
Blackstone 1554 36-Inch Outdoor Propane Gas Griddle
Are you looking for a larger cooking surface? Looking to buy a flat grill for parties and gatherings?
If so, then this 720 square inch cooking area is the best option for you. It consists of 4 independent burners so controlling the heat is not a problem.
Each burner can deliver up to 15,000 Btu of heat. This implies that it can cumulatively generate up to 60,000 Btu of heat. In addition, you have no problem lighting the burner.
The grill features a push-button ignition mechanism that allows YOU to generate the heat in seconds. This feature is very useful, especially when you want to cook large batches of food.
When YOU are preparing an unexpected amount of food, you obviously need storage and prep space. The two flat-top grills we are now talking about meet these requirements. It consists of 2 side shelves, so preparing the ingredients is not a problem. There is also a shelf under the cooking surface where you can store utensils and condiments.
You may be thinking what about the cleaning mechanism?
It also offers you an efficient cleaning mechanism. After it has cooled down, you can clean the Blackstone griddle . When it comes to grease, there’s a grease can that comes with a handle. Instead of cleaning the entire grill, which means you empty the grease can and you’re good to go.
The flat top design of the grill is such that it is very portable. It consists of 4 wheels on the bottom, two of which are lockable. because of that keeping it in place is no problem at all.
The stainless steel finish makes the grill aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the stable construction ensures that it can be used on the balcony or terrace. It does require some assembly, but as it COMES with detailed instructions, assembly is not a problem at all.
If you are looking for a large grilling area, this is without a doubt one of the best flat top grills you can buy.
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Important Functions
Grills differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. They also differ in purpose and size. Regardless, there are certain features to consider that will make your grilling experience on a flat grill even more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at some of these features.
Cooking Area
One of the reasons the flat grill is so popular is that it’s built to look like a griddle but is wired differently. Instead of the heating element spreading, it moves in a circular direction. This will heat the entire cooking area evenly. The heat radiates in a circle and reaches all corners of the cooking zone. So you can use every square centimeter.
Also, a flat-topped grill is made from heavier steel than is typically found in a griddle. The different sizes allow you to serve meetings of different sizes. For example, a 600 square inch grill can feed 50 to 100 people per hour. However, if you want to cook for a small family, a grill that is 400 square inches or less will do.
Because the cooking area is flat, you can use it to quickly cook anything, including batter-like dishes like pancakes. There is no grid, filtered through the crowd. And because the heat IS evenly distributed, you can add more food. It is versatile and practical as well as easy to clean.
It’s Pre-seasoned?
In most cases flat grills do not come pre-seasoned. However, it is an important step. It helps you cook food so it doesn’t stick to the cooking surface. It also helps carry more flavor to the foods you’re preparing. If it IS pre-cured, this means that the manufacturer has already applied a layer of oil.
Where a flat grill can be supplied pre-treated with cooking oil, this is done solely to prevent rusting of the grilling surface. When you unpack your grill, you should make sure that you wash it properly and remove all chemicals from the grill during the manufacturing process. Knowing whether it is pre-cured or not is important to knowing what the next step should be for you.
YOU can then season it yourself to get the right flavor while cooking and prevent food from sticking to the cooking surface. Remember that just like a cast iron pot, a shallow grill got better over time. The more you cook with it, the more flavorful the surface becomes.
Power-Energy
Flat grills can be operated with electricity or gas. When it comes to gas, it can be natural gas or propane. In general, gas grills are cheaper than electric grills. But it also depends on the manufacturer. Gas is often preferred because it heats up much faster than electric grills. The burners are placed directly under the cooking surface.
How to Season a New Flat Top Grill
Seasoning a flat grill is easy and beneficial too. The type of alignment depends on whether it’s the first time or not.
- Clean the surface of your flat top with a damp cloth.
- Turn on the grill and let it sit over high heat for about 15 minutes.
- Then, dip paper towels in cooking oil and use tongs to hold them while you wipe down the surface. The point is to cover the entire cooking surface with a layer of cooking oil.
- Let the oil boil.
- When everything seems to be gone, repeat the process about three times.
Once this is done you can start cooking. The cooking surface must be sufficiently seasoned. This procedure is for a new grill that has never been used. As you cook, the food’s juices continue to coat the surface and therefore the more times YOU use THEM, the flavor of the same food can mature.
Grill vs Griddle: What’s The Difference?
One of the main differences between a regular grill(not a flat plate) and a pan is that the grill plates are flat, while grills usually have grates. A grill consists of raised edges, while a griddle is a flat, pan-like cooking surface. The ribs allow food juices to seep into the grill and give a smokier flavor.
The flat surface of the griddle allows you to cook more delicate foods such as an omelette, pancake or any food that requires a flat surface. Also, grills operate at much higher temperatures than skillets. A griddle produces food that appears baked or slow roasted, while a grill gives you food that is cooked at a much higher temperature and may show grill marks. In summary, these are the main differences:
Flat Tops Griddles
- You can cook pancakes or other delicate foods.
- Low-temperature garden
- Baked and roasted
- Give no smoke button
Grills
- Delicate foods such as pancakes cannot be prepared.
- Cook at high temperatures
- Burns
- Gives a smoky taste.
What is The Best Oil for a Alat Grill?
Cooking oil is a great way to season your flat grill. But not all oils are the same. The best oil should have a high smoke point.
You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. You need an oil with a high smoke point because grilling requires high temperatures. You also need to make sure you are high in fatty acids. They stick to the cooking surface more easily.
The best oil should also fit your dietary needs and add just the right flavor to your food.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
